The chronicles of Phoenix Zach

Chapter 22: Mixed Signals

Zach's POV

I expected him to reply almost immediately.

He usually did.

Instead...

It showed he read it

Then...

Nothing.

No reply.

I waited another minute.

Still nothing.

"...Okay."

I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed downstairs...

"Did I annoy him?"

"Was he upset I left him on read?"

"Maybe the voice note sounded rude..."

"Should I apologize again?"

i asked myself as as i walked into to Dean who was somehow managing to burn toast after already burning cookies.

"You know," I said, watching smoke rise from the toaster, "you're banned from my kitchen."

Dean looked offended.

"Good morning to you too. While you were busy talking to yourself, I made you breakfast."

I looked at the black slices.

"You made charcoal."

"I made you memories.so whats up?"

"Just Schoolwo..." i was answering as my phone buzzed

Damien:Noted.

i uncontrollably sighed,

you know when you feel like its about to be a bad day? that how i felt

Zach: Blink twice if you've been kidnapped.[laughing emoji]

Damien: I've been not

absolute cinema

"im leaving", Dean said as he fixed a plate of whatever mess he made.

"oh okay", That was all I managed.

"is everything alright Zach?"he asked one more time

"uhm yeah, just a little bit tired, don't forget you owe me a shopping spree ," I said as i faked a yawn

"call me when you finally wake up", he said as he left.

Damien: I've reviewed the first draft and tweaked it, please view the attached document below.

lke did i do something wrong, or am i dealing with moody Damien today, fine he can f**k himself

Zach:Thank you, i'll give you a response once i go through it.

i can match his energy well

he was typing

typing

typing...

then seen.

No reply.

oh this man angers me!

Damien's pov

after listening to the vn to analyse it again.

i responded back to her

Who was that?

but i deleted it, we aren't that close for ,me to ask.

maybe is should say

Did you have fun?

Sounds off ,how about Good morning...

i sighed heavily as i threw the phone onto the desk.

let me focus on Black Corp. ive been away for a while

a few hours later

I rubbed a hand over his face before reaching for the next financial statement.

Numbers usually made sense.

People didn't.

A knock sounded against the office door.

"Come in."

Cindy stepped inside carrying a stack of files.

"These need your signature before tomorrow's board meeting."

She placed them neatly on my desk.

I signed the first page without looking up.

"The recruitment committee has also finalized the interview shortlist."

"Mm."

The only sounds in the office were the scratch of my pen and the turning of paper.

When I reached the last page, I set the pen down.

"Cindy."

"Yes, sir?"

I hesitated.

It was probably the stupidest question I'd asked in over a century.

"You attended a human university."

"I did."

"...Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

I leaned back slightly.

"Is it... common for humans to borrow each other's clothes?"

She blinked.

"...Clothes?"

"Yes."

"I suppose it depends."

"On what?"

"Their relationship."

I frowned.

"What kind of relationship?"

She thought for a moment.

"Family."

I nodded once.

"Friends."

Another nod.

"Partners."

I stopped nodding.

"...I see."

A small silence settled between us.

Then I cleared my throat.

"And toothbrushes?"

This time she looked genuinely confused.

"...Toothbrushes, sir?"

"Yes."

She frowned thoughtfully.

"Most people don't share toothbrushes."

"I didn't say share."

"They usually borrow a spare one if they stay over."

Stay over.

For some reason, those two words irritated me far more than they should have.

I stared at the papers on my desk.

"...Right."

Another silence.

Cindy shifted awkwardly.

"Sir..."

"Yes?"

"...Is everything alright?"

I looked up.

She wasn't prying.

She actually looked concerned.

"Perfectly."

She didn't seem convinced.

"I've worked here for four years."

"So?"

"I've never had you ask me about... human toothbrush etiquette."

I looked away.

"...Research."

"Research?"

"For school."

She accepted that far more easily than she should have.

"I see."

She gathered the remaining files.

"I'll leave you to your... research."

As she reached the door, she paused.

"Oh, one more thing."

I looked up.

"If they're comfortable borrowing hoodies..."

I waited.

"...they probably know each other fairly well."

Then she smiled politely.

"Have a good afternoon, sir."

The door clicked shut.

Silence returned to the office.

I stared at the closed door for a long moment.

Then slowly reached for my phone.

I replayed the voice note.

"...Can I borrow clothes?"

"...Don't touch my favorites."

"...I'm taking this hoodie."

I locked the screen.

Immediately unlocked it again.

Whoever he was...

He sounded comfortable in her house.

Comfortable enough to know where things were.

I hated that thought.

I hated even more that it bothered me

My thumb hovered over the keyboard.

Ridiculous.

It wasn't my business.

.